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The backyard is the perfect place to create your own oasis. While there are many remodeling options you can afford, such as installing a garden bench, a home sauna, or a swimming pool, a hot tub is also a great option for relaxing and entertaining.
“When choosing a hot tub, think about the type of experience you want,” says Karen Larson, co-founder of Soake Pools. “Some hot tubs have lots of jets and bubbles, which creates a ‘sitz bath’ feel.”
One of the main factors to consider, Carr said, is the size of the hot tub, as well as the number, type, and placement of the jets. “Do you want a power jet or a massage jet?” he asked. “Do you want them sprayed down the center of your back or closer to your lower or upper back?”
To find the perfect hot tub, we tested several models at home. In addition to Larson’s tub, we also asked Eddie Carr, CEO of Bellareed Luxury Pools, what to look for when buying a hot tub.
For safety, do not soak in a hot tub for more than 10 to 15 minutes. People with diabetes, lung disease, high or low blood pressure, or heart disease should get a doctor’s approval before using a hot tub. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pregnant women and children under 5 should not use hot tubs.
We evaluated several hot tubs based on installation, design, maintenance, and functionality. To learn more about how we test hot tubs, check out our testing process below.
It features a waterfall feature, multi-color LED underwater lighting, built-in seats, four cup holders and is reasonably priced.
Our top recommendation is the 4-person hot tub from Aquarest Spas, which is super easy to install and performed well in our tests. This rectangular, plug-and-play hot tub has 12 jets and takes just 15 minutes to assemble.
As for assembly, we basically just need to unpack it. No tools required, just a little rinsing and water.
It takes about 24 hours for the hot tub to reach 104 degrees Fahrenheit (about 40 degrees Celsius). After we added the necessary chemicals to the water and tested it, it was ready to use in about a day.
Although it can seat four people, we found it most comfortable for two people. A simple seat is included, and we didn’t feel slippery while in the tub. The water level rose to the perfect height, just above my shoulders when I sat.
Overall, this is a pretty basic hot tub with no frills, except for the fountain, four handy little cup holders, and bright colored LED lights. It also has a water jet that can be raised or lowered, but it can’t be adjusted to a specific position.
Since the hot tub is so close to the floor, we had no problem getting in and out of it, but you can get a ladder kit with storage if you want. We also like that it can be plugged directly into a power source, without the need for professional wiring, which is also a big plus.
With weekly use, cleaning and maintenance, this hot tub is still in great condition after two months of testing. While it does require a bit of a learning curve, we think this is a great entry-level hot tub as it is a good size, easy to operate and the experience is still as enjoyable as the first time you used it.
Product Details: Dimensions: 49 x 70 x 27.5 inches | Water Capacity: 156 gallons | Seating Capacity: Four | Included Accessories/Features: Waterfall, built-in seats, LED light, four cup holders.
The jets are located at the base of the hot tub, not behind the user, and are not adjustable.
The Bestway SaluSpa St. Miami AirJet Inflatable Hot Tub is the best way to have your own hot tub at home, and it’s cheaper than other options.
This portable inflatable hot tub has 140 bubble jets and can reach temperatures of up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (about 40 degrees Celsius), providing a soothing and relaxing hydromassage. The hot tub can accommodate up to four people, but we found three more comfortable.
The kit includes a pump with a control panel, a hot tub cover, a filter cartridge, and a chemical dispenser that evenly distributes the right amount of chlorine to keep the water optimally clean. There is even a timer that can control the temperature of the hot tub for 40 days in advance.
During our testing, we found this hot tub to be quick and easy to assemble, although there were no installation instructions in the box, so we had to look them up online. It takes about 12 hours to reach 100°F (about 37°C).
Aside from two cup holders, the hot tub itself does not have any additional features such as lighting, built-in seats, or headrests. However, it is still very comfortable to sit in. It should be noted that since the tub is located very close to the floor, it may not be convenient for everyone to get in and out of it.
The main drawback of the bath is the jets, which are located on its bottom wall, not on the side, and are aimed at the user’s back. They are not adjustable, which is what we like.
The filter also needs to be cleaned after each use, but the cleaning process is quite quick and easy. This hot tub is made of durable, UV-resistant, stretch-resistant, and puncture-resistant materials, and it also features an automatic tub heating feature when the weather gets cold to protect the machine from damage.
The water pump is guaranteed for one year, and the inner tank is guaranteed for 90 days. While some hot tubs may have a longer warranty, this model retains its shape even after being inflated once, so it should last a long time.
After using the hot tub for a few months, we haven’t noticed any changes in its quality. It still works effectively, we just don’t like the placement of the sprinkler heads as much as we used to.
We also noticed that unless you leave the hot tub running all the time, it takes a long time to heat up the water. However, we liked that the hot tub comes with its own cover. Since the cover is inflatable, it stays above the water and is well insulated.
Product Details: Dimensions: 71 x 71 x 26 inches | Water Capacity: 177 gallons | Capacity: Up to four people | Included Accessories/Features: Digital Control Panel, 140 AirJets, Filter, Pump, Insulated Cover.
Our favorite two-person hot tub is the Aquarest Spas Pumps Plug and Play Hot Tub. This hot tub comes in three colors, and we loved its powerful jets during our testing.
Installing the hot tub took us an hour and was fairly easy. Once installed, we really liked this compact tub because it required significantly less maintenance. It’s also more functional and has more powerful jets than many other hot tubs we tested.
Hot tubs are equipped with ozone generators that keep the water fresh and kill bacteria and contaminants, meaning you won’t have to spend a lot of money on chemicals. It also has a patented water filtration system that helps reduce maintenance time.
We think that the LED waterfall will be a great addition to the bathroom, as it produces a soothing sound. In addition, you can choose from a variety of colors to suit your preferences. In addition, the bathtub is equipped with two cup holders and a practical air flow adjustment device that allows you to control the air flow in each direction separately.
We love this hot tub, but we would prefer it to have steps, foot spas, and a footrest for more relaxation.
During our testing period, we used this pick approximately 2-3 times per month. The pick shows signs of wear and has developed yellow stains that contrast well with the grey colour of the hot tub. However, we believe that washing with bleach will solve this issue.
That said, we haven’t noticed any performance issues. Three months later, the tub cover is still intact, and the tub and jets are working fine. We also like the compact size of the tub, which makes it easy to maintain. We add a little chlorine to the hot tub and test the chlorine levels weekly, but find that they usually stay the same.
Product Details: Dimensions: 80 x 68 x 31 inches | Water Capacity: 158 gallons | Capacity: Two | Included Accessories/Features: LED Waterfall Light, Freeze Protection, Lid, Cup Holder
This easy-to-inflate hot tub features 170 jets, a built-in hard water treatment system, an insulating floor layer and a comfortable headrest.
Orders shipped to California must also come with Energy Saving Cover 28523E (or the order may be cancelled).
For those who don’t have the space or budget to install a permanent or built-in hot tub, an inflatable hot tub is the best option. The Intex 28431E PureSpa is quick and easy to install, and within hours of bringing it home, you’ll be enjoying a relaxing bath with 170 powerful bubble jets.
The hot tub and headrest are fully inflated in less than 30 minutes, and the easy-to-use tilt control panel allows you to activate the jets and set the temperature up to 104°F.
The whirlpool baths also come with an insulating cover on the floor to maintain the temperature inside the bath. The LED lights that change colors create a relaxing atmosphere, especially at night. The whirlpool bath also comes with an insulating cover to prevent heat from escaping.
During our testing, the installation process was very simple, although the instructions were not very detailed. It takes less than five minutes to fill the hot tub with gas. We easily inflated the headrest by mouth, no additional tools were required. It took less than 45 minutes to fill the tank with water from a garden hose, but it took 32 hours to reach full temperature.
We were pleasantly surprised to find that sitting on the floor of the hot tub is very comfortable, but for those who prefer to sit a little higher, there is an additional seat included that can be adjusted to two different heights. Two inflatable headrests can also be placed on the edge of the hot tub. Although the shower heads are not adjustable, we appreciated their power.
The hot tub comes with two filters that can be easily removed for weekly cleaning, as well as a spherical container that floats in the water for cleaning chemicals (must be purchased separately).
If you live in California, please note that you must purchase an energy-efficient hot tub cover 28523E (like this PureSpa Deluxe Hot Tub Cover) or your order may be canceled, the retailer says.
During our testing, this hot tub became our favorite place to relax in the evening. After two months of use, we still recommend it, and it’s a great choice for those looking for a hot tub that’s easy to use and more affordable than other options.
It still worked well, although we noticed that the spray was uneven, with one side being stronger than the other. Otherwise, there were no noticeable signs of wear, except for one scratch.
This model is easy to drain, clean, and deflate when not in use, and we love that it folds up for easy storage. While the setup process took some planning, we were able to pull it off.
Product Details: Dimensions: 85 x 85 x 25 inches | Water Capacity: 290 gallons | Capacity: Six people | Included Accessories/Features: Insulated Cover, Color-Changing LED Light, Insulated Floor Cloth, Carrying Bag, Test Strips, Filter Cartridges (x2), Head Rests (x2), Inflation Hose, Floating Chlorine Dispenser.
It is easy to install, easy to maintain, requires minimal chlorine treatment and has quick drain/fill capability.